Germany and India share fundamental values

As the world's largest democracy, India is an important strategic partner for Germany. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has travelled to India for an official visit lasting several days. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Federal Chancellor in his home state of Gujarat for talks - a sign of appreciation and of the closeness of Indo-German relations.

"Germany, as the largest state in the European Union, and India, as the world's largest democracy, share fundamental values. Highly dynamic India and high-tech Germany have key interests in common. We are building on this", explained the Chancellor. Germany and India want to deepen their relations.

Closer cooperation - on security, the economy and skilled labour

In a joint press statement with Prime Minister Modi, Chancellor Merz identified three key areas: international order and closer security cooperation, an expansion of economic relations, and cooperation on education and skilled labour.

In 2026, Germany and India will celebrate 75 years of bilateral relations and 25 years of strategic partnership. Government consultations are due to take place in Berlin towards the end of the year.

Prime Minister Modi received the Federal Chancellor in the city of Ahmedabad, where they first visited Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, an early place of work of national hero Mahatma Gandhi. "Mahatma Gandhi's unshakeable belief in the power of freedom and the worth of every human being continues to inspire us today. This legacy of humanity unites Indians and Germans as friends in a world that perhaps needs Gandhi's teachings more than ever", wrote Chancellor Merz in the guest book. The Federal Chancellor and Prime Minister then travelled on to the kite festival, which heralds the arrival of spring in India.

Business delegation accompanies the Chancellor

From Ahmedabad, the Federal Chancellor is travelling on to Bangalore to meet representatives of German companies, among others. The capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka is known as the "Silicon Valley of India" and is a global technology and start-up centre.

One of the focal points of the visit is the deepening of economic relations with India, a rapidly growing economy with enormous potential for innovation. "We will take the next steps in the area of economic policy cooperation", said the Chancellor. He will be accompanied by a large business delegation.

More than 2,000 German companies are already active in India, and more and more Indian companies are also investing in Germany. With a bilateral trade volume of almost 50 billion US dollars in goods and services, Germany is India's most important partner in the EU. "German and Indian companies are moving ever closer together, especially in future technologies", says Chancellor Merz.

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